Peter O'Reilly Diary - 1880
Date
1880
Authors
O'Reilly, Peter
Vancouver Island Local History Society
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
DIARY SUMMARY
JANUARY
Birthday party and decorated tree for Kathleen “Puss” O’Reilly – 3½ feet of snow on ground, travel by sleigh – Peter O’Reilly and others receive Gas Co and Loan Investment Society dividends – court at New Westminster – improvements to bathroom – wine ordered through Captain Hare.
FEBRUARY
Peter attends annual shareholders meeting of BC Milling & Mining Co – views coffer dam construction for the Esquimalt Graving Dock – at Point Ellice measurements taken for fence and gates, and fir trees planted – court at New Westminster.
MARCH
Victoria harbour freezes over – two court sessions at New Westminster - Peter attends murder trial of McLean brothers and Alex Hare – gate and fence construction at Point Ellice begins.
APRIL
Peter is a pall bearer at the funeral of Mrs David Leneveu – Joseph & Julia Trutch return to Victoria after being absent since late 1876 – carriage hired to regularly take O’Reilly children to school – visit to HMS Triumph at Esquimalt harbour – court at New Westminster.
MAY
Court at Yale, Lytton, Ashcroft, Kamloops, and New Westminster – Queen’s birthday regatta on the Gorge in Victoria.
JUNE
Bishop Silitoe for New Westminster diocese arrives from England – Jack O’Reilly takes his first trip with his father who holds court at New Westminster – second McLean brothers trial “declared null” – death of Mrs William “Doctor” Tolmie.
JULY
Interest received from Loan Investment Society – court at Yale, Ashcroft, Kamloops, and New Westminster – Peter O’Reilly is appointed Indian Reserve Commissioner – Henry Cornwall from Ashcroft begins his extended stay at Point Ellice.
AUGUST
BC Superintendent of Indian Affairs Israel Wood Powell, Premier Walkem, and Peter O’Reilly agree that Peter will not accept the position of Indian Reserve Commissioner until he is relieved of his judicial duties – hunting with Joseph Trutch – Tom & Georgie Ellis arrive from Penticton – court at New Westminster – Henry Cornwall returns to Ashcroft - meeting with Indian agent George Blenkinsop and Indian Reserve Commission surveyor Henry Ashdown Green.
SEPTEMBER
Croquet parties at the Jacksons and Maple Bank - “Carry” O’Reilly’s 49th birthday – Peter takes his family on his court circuit – court at New Westminster, Yale. Lytton, Ashcroft.
OCTOBER
Court at Kamloops is followed by hunting with Joseph Trutch – court at New Westminster – croquet at Maple Bank – at Point Ellice potatoes are dug and 500 strawberry seedlings purchased.
NOVEMBER
Frank O’Reilly contemplates entering Charterhouse school in London – “fourth anniversary of our darling “Pops” death” – dinner parties – court at New Westminster, Yale, and Lytton.
DECEMBER
Court at Ashcroft – four days of subzero temperatures and snow on the ground make travel difficult and cause the delay of court at Kamloops – court at Yale held, then New Westminster where Peter experiences one of heaviest caseloads while suffering from a bad cold – a quiet Christmas holiday is celebrated with Joseph & Julia Trutch – return to New Westminster to hold Court of Appeal & Revision – Kathleen “Puss” O’Reilly’s 13th birthday on December 31st.
Description
Transcription of the diary of Peter O'Reilly for the year 1880. The original document is housed at the Royal British Columbia Museum & Archives, O’Reilly Family Fonds (MS-2894), Microfilm Reel A01909, Box 2, File 8.
Keywords
Peter O'Reilly, British Columbia, Victoria (B.C.), Point Ellice House (Victoria, B.C.), civil service, history, 19th century